By Alex Kiprotich

A lot has been said about Catholic Church priests who live a double life — but all is not well with the nuns.

According to sources, some lewd acts go on secretly in the confines of the convents. The nuns cite cases of lesbianism, sex with priests and even abortion in the holy grounds.

A nun from Molo said she has witnessed cases of lesbianism and abortion. The nun said the picture of innocence and humility portrayed by nuns in veils to the public changes immediately they get into the confines of the convents.

Face of innocence

"We look pious to the public but once we are inside the convent, some of us are actually sensuous individuals," she said.

Nuns are trained in different congregations (homes) named after the founder.

"They are congregations, each with its own differences and based on different charisma," she said

The sister said one of the regulations discourages two nuns from staying in a room alone. But she discloses that some of the congregations are notorious for this.

She said priests also contribute to the moral rot in the monasteries because some ask — or demand — sexual favours from the sisters.

"Some priests take advantage of the sisters in their early stages and ask for sex. The unwritten law here is that of secrecy," she said.

She added: "It has its risks but the temptation of the flesh at times is worth the risk."

Another nun from Kilifi said some, in the guise of being best spiritual friends, lead contradicting lives.

She said these acts are caused by the loneliness nuns feel in the convents and monasteries.

"Life away from your family is tempting and challenging. That is why people will look for ways to kill loneliness and boredom," she said.

A nun from Franciscan Sister of the Immaculate Conception said the society has put high expectations on nuns, sisters and priests. She added that no one seems to see them as human beings with feelings and weaknesses, frailties.

She said the high expectation is the reason for many cases of immorality.

Secret life

"The society expects the clergy to practise high moral standards. This has led to secretive lewd acts within the confines of the Church," she said.

She said some nuns, too ashamed of their acts, commit suicide when caught because they cannot face the society, especially if they are expelled from the convent.

"When caught engaging in indecent acts, the Church is very strict. The culprits are expelled and this leads to cases of suicide to save face," she said.

She advises people to understand that nuns, priests and other clergy are like other people and undergo the struggles, temptations and contradictions of life.

"It is a life of struggle just as all human beings do. People fall in love and they fall out of love," she said.

The sister noted though there are many rules and regulations, sometimes people ignore and break them for varying reasons and weaknesses.

She said at times, priests and nuns are expelled for conspiring to do what is against the Church doctrines.

"I know some cases of abortion in our congregation and those who have been caught have been expelled. But some manage to hide their evil deeds," she disclosed.

Voluntary decision

Although celibacy is voluntary, some nuns and priests betray their vows.

"We are always told to assess ourselves and choose to stay or leave and get married," she said.

Becoming a nun typically takes seven to nine years. In the first three years, new entrants are screened for behaviour and decisions are made as to whether they will proceed to the next level.

This is the period when a woman enters a religious community as a postulant, reflects on her vocation and helps with chores in the convent. At the end of what is primarily a spiritual retreat, the postulant and her advisers decide whether she will become a novice and study Catholic theology and ministry for up to two years.

She may then take temporary vows. After another four to eight years, she makes her final vows and becomes a professed nun.